.17HMR & Steel

[Werewolf]

I got a Savage M93 in .17HMR for Christmas along with some 20 gr ammo.

I was wondering if I can shoot my steel targets I have for .22LR with it without punching holes in them.

Not sure of the steel's thickness but they're the standard spinners and I imagine are 1/4" or so.

What say you can I pop 'em with out destroying them? How about at a 100 yards or so?

 

[skinewmexico]

Probably ok at the right distance. I know I've shot silhouettes at our range with mine, and didn't hurt them. Never shot 20g though.

 

[cmidkiff]

I took a few shots at a steel gong with my 9317 savage at around 40 yards, and left some pretty serious splashes in the steel. The gong is 1/4" mild steel, designed for center fire pistols. Anything up to .357 mag doesn't hurt it (.44mag will dent it slightly). The .17hmr left 'melted' divots in the steel. If it had been any thinner, I'm sure they would have punched through. I have no doubt that the little .22 spinners I have would be swiss cheese.

 

[rangerruck]

the 20 grainers will zip right through most regular steel targets, 100 yds or less.
the 17grainers will leave a big dent, but will splash.
If you look about 1/2 way down this page, you will see what the 17 grainers did on a 3/16 inch thick coated steel plate, so just imagine the 20 grain solid.http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm
both 17 grainers zipped right through the 1/4 inch steel plate.

 

[627PCFan]

100 yards or greater or get a new target-

 

[Werewolf]

Thanks guys... seems I won't be using my 22LR steel targets for .17HMR.

More juice in that little sucker than I imagined.

 

[Avenger29]

My favorite dealer has a strip of steel that had various handgun rounds shot at it. None of the handgun rounds penetrated it, but a .17HMR did.